STEM Stars is a collaborative project of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh 
and Carnegie Science Center . This after school enrichment program for middle school girls operates in 10 sites in the Pittsburgh area. Groups meet twice a week to do STEM activities and learn about STEM topics, STEM careers, and life skills. For more information, or to inquire about enrolling your daughter, please reach out here.
The purpose of STEM Stars is: 1) to improve academic achievement and increase interest in, and awareness of, STEM topics and careers among economically disadvantaged girls; and 2) to decrease opportunity gaps that negatively impact these girls’ successful matriculation through the STEM education pipeline and into STEM careers. STEM Stars addresses barriers associated with middle school girls’ engagement in STEM: inadequate access, opportunity, academic preparation, and attitudinal barriers that limit success and persistence in STEM.
STEM Stars provides: 1) reading, math, and science remediation and enrichment; 2) hands-on project-based STEM activities; 3) life skills development; 4) mentoring; 5) pre-college experiences; and 6) STEM career exploration.
STEM Stars normally operates in 15 sites in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Propel Schools, Woodland Hills School District, and McKeesport Area School District. This year we are fully virtual!
STEM Stars Sites: Allegheny Traditional Academy, McKeesport Founders Hall, McKeesport Francis McClure, McKeesport Twin Rivers, Pittsburgh Arlington, Pittsburgh Carmalt, Pittsburgh Classical Academy, Pittsburgh South Hills, Sterrett Classical Academy, Pittsburgh Sunnyside, Propel (Braddock Hills, Homestead, McKeesport), and Woodland Hills.
If you are interested in being a mentor volunteer, please let us know! Just fill out the form HERE. Be sure to check the box for Carnegie STEM Girls!
Target Population/Need
According to a 2012 Bayer corporation report, a paltry 25% of working women and 14% of underrepresented minorities are employed in STEM fields – primarily because they were not encouraged or nurtured to pursue STEM studies early on. While women make up nearly half of the work force in this country, they only occupy 25% of all STEM-related jobs. Only 10% of all engineers are women. STEM Stars works to reverse this disturbing trend by bringing STEM to middle school girls, allowing them to explore the fun of STEM and envision themselves in rewarding STEM careers.
STEM Stars targets economically disadvantaged girls in grades 5-8 from Pittsburgh, Woodland Hills, McKeesport, and Propel schools. Combined, 75% of students from these districts are eligible for free and reduced lunch (indicator for economically disadvantaged status). 70% of families from these districts are considered low-income; 67% minority, and primarily African American.
STEM Stars is funded through a grant from the United Way of Allegheny County.
